Cafe Royal

The fabulously Baroque-style Café Royal opened on this site in 1863 (it used to be elsewhere in the city, originally opening in 1826) and is extravagantly done out with acres of panelled walls, stained glass, ornately decorated ceilings, and Doulton ceramic murals. There's a popular bar and a separate restaurant with its own entrance via a revolving door. The bar deals in hand-pumped beers and food such as sandwiches, fresh oysters and haggis and whisky cream pie (served with chips, of course), while in the restaurant the tables are spruced up with white linen cloths and the menu goes up a gear. Start with hickory-smoked duck or Scottish smoked salmon served straight-up with a lemon mayonnaise, before the likes of a seafood platter (also available next door in the bar), grilled mullet with ratatouille, or a steak from the chargrill with Arran mustard butter.